After a long while, someone swallowed hard and asked uncertainly, "Has Sect Leader Zhou lost?"
"Yeah, we lost!" The other person also seemed a little dazed.
Then, a cheer erupted from the crowd. They never expected that Zhou Tianyi, whose strength was clearly superior to Mu Qing's, would lose.
"It's over, I've invested most of my fortune in Zhou Tianyi." Someone was on the verge of tears.
"Shh! This is the Immortal's Fate Inn. You can't say anything like that. If the manager finds out you're gambling, you'll be in big trouble."
"Zhou Tianyi is too weak. He actually lost to Mu Qing, who is weaker than him?"
"I think he underestimated his opponent. Of course, Pavilion Master Mu is also very powerful. I heard that the shopkeeper has started the tipping system, so I want to tip Pavilion Master Mu."
"And me, Pavilion Master Mu is truly a heroine among women."
Zhou Tianyi was in a daze until he heard people laughing at him, which brought him back to his senses. He looked at his hands and couldn't believe that he had lost.
"You won unfairly by using special weapons."
Before Mu Qing could speak, a chivalrous person who couldn't stand it retorted, "Sect Leader Zhou knew that Pavilion Master Mu had only just become a first-class martial artist before challenging her to a duel. Is that what a gentleman does? Besides, weapons are also a part of strength. Sect Leader Zhou could have dodged the last wave. You underestimated your opponent, so you can't blame anyone else."
Zhou Tianyi glared fiercely at the newcomer, "And who are you, you coward?"
"This humble one is none other than the Mad Blade of the Western Regions!"
Zhou Tianyi choked. He had heard of the Mad Saber of the Western Regions, who was a master of swordsmanship and one of the top experts in the martial arts world.
Seeing Zhou Tianyi's angry but speechless expression, the Western Region Madman sneered disdainfully. Ever since the incident with Jiang Fengyu, he had no goodwill towards the Guiyi Sect.
Mu Qing suppressed her excitement and cupped her hands in a gesture of respect to Zhou Tianyi. "You flatter me. Just as Sect Leader Zhou said, no matter the outcome, it won't affect the relationship between our two sects, will it?"
The same words, now spoken from a different perspective, sounded particularly jarring to Zhou Tianyi.
"Hmph!" Zhou Tianyi, feeling humiliated, flicked his sleeves and left the crowd. The remaining Guiyi Pavilion disciples looked at each other, then lowered their heads and left as quickly as possible.
After watching the challenge, An Ge stood up with satisfaction. "Elder Kang, is this why you chose this setting?"
As the owner of the arena, An Ge could naturally see the attributes of the weapon in Mu Qing's hand.
"Four-string Jade Lute (Green): Attack 20, Defense 13, stuns enemies for 3 seconds, can use the special skill Flying Flower and Leaf Plucking, turning leaves into sharp blades."
This is the first weapon with special abilities that An Ge has ever seen. It can pluck flowers and leaves, but you need leaves to do that.
Old Kang replied with a smile, "The change of setting does not affect the fairness of the duel. It was Zhou Tianyi who underestimated his opponent."
"That's true, real battles can't stay the same forever."
Jiang Fengyu was still pondering Mu Qing's final attack when he heard their conversation and became even more confused. "The special martial art you two are talking about is the move that Pavilion Master Mu used at the end? Isn't that her own technique?"
Master Kang had a good impression of the first master to advance and generously offered his explanation.
Jiang Fengyu gasped. "Everyone, I still have to train in the arena, so I'll take my leave now." He turned and left without looking back, as if he couldn't wait even a moment longer.
An Ge chuckled, "Looks like the arena is about to see another wave of revenue."
The duel between Mu Qing and Zhou Tianyi has ended, but its impact is growing, and it soon spread throughout the entire martial arts world.
Winning against all odds, using special techniques or weapons—any one of these could become a topic of conversation for a long time. Even those who weren't part of the martial arts world could offer some insights into this duel.
In no time, people flocked to the arena, resulting in a surge of revenue for Ango.
Meanwhile, word spread that the inn would be providing a platform for duels. Many equally skilled warriors, upon hearing the rules, began watching.
Emperor Feng Zhao watched the crowd gradually leave, and after a long while asked, "What does Han'er think of these martial arts figures?"
Feng Jinghan knew this was a test from Emperor Feng Zhao. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I once saw a line in a TV series called 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' that goes, 'The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people; the lesser heroes are those who serve their friends and neighbors.' These people of the martial arts world are also part of our Great Ye Kingdom. If we guide them properly, they will surely become a pillar of our Great Ye Kingdom."
"The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people; the lesser heroes are those who serve their friends and neighbors." Emperor Feng Zhao repeated this sentence, "Who said this? I'd like to pay them a visit if I have the chance."
"It seems to be something an old gentleman named Jin Yong said. He probably lived in the same place as the shop manager."
"What a pity!" Emperor Feng Zhao sighed. "Although people from the martial world are not entirely independent of the court, their status has always been awkward. They are more dependent on aristocratic families and have not been able to realize their own value. If Han'er were in my position, would you have thought about what to do?"
"Suppress the powerful families and support the poor!" Feng Jinghan said resolutely.
Emperor Fengzhao gasped, "Does my son know how difficult this path is? Even the royal family will face tremendous opposition." This had always been his thought, but as an emperor, he was not free to act against his will.
Feng Jinghan bowed and said, "Your subject knows that it may have been difficult in the past, but with the popularization of paper, knowledge is no longer the exclusive domain of aristocratic families. This is a good opportunity. In any case, your subject will definitely support those from humble backgrounds."
This was the first time Feng Jinghan had openly expressed his ambitions in front of Emperor Feng Zhao.
Emperor Feng Zhao looked at Feng Jinghan with a dangerous gaze. Just as Feng Jinghan thought she was about to suffer his wrath, she heard Emperor Feng Zhao say, "In my son's hands, the Great Ye Kingdom will surely rise to a higher level. Your father is very much looking forward to it."
Upon hearing these words of affirmation, Feng Jinghan's eyes welled up with tears. "Your subject will certainly not disappoint Father's expectations."
“My son, it will not be easy for you to gather the forces of the martial arts world together. Do you know that the forces of the martial arts world are not only those that are on the surface, but also some hidden families and sects. They do not travel in the martial arts world, but their strength should not be underestimated. Our royal family also has grandmasters behind us, but we cannot easily take action against these forces.”
Feng Jinghan was startled; this was the first time he had heard such secrets. "Is this Grandmaster the source of the Judicial Bureau's ability to intimidate the martial world?"
Emperor Feng Zhao looked at Feng Jinghan with appreciation, "My son is right. The royal family is not as simple as it seems on the surface. I will explain it to you properly later."
Feng Jinghan respectfully agreed. Although things were much more complicated than he had imagined, the greater the challenge, the more excited he became.
Feng Jinghan was confident that under his rule, he would lead the Great Ye Kingdom to a golden age.
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